WHY THIS KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE WORKS
The hallmarks of Korean fried chicken are a thin, crispy exterior and a spicy-sweet-salty sauce. The biggest challenge is preventing the sauce from destroying the crust. We dunk the chicken wings in a loose batter of flour, cornstarch, and water, which clings nicely to the chicken and fries up brown and crispy. To help the coating withstand a wet sauce, we double-fry the chicken wings, which removes more water from the skin than a single fry does, making the coating extra-crispy. The Korean chile paste known as gochujang gives our sauce the proper spicy, fermented notes, while sugar tempers the heat, and garlic and ginger—cooked briefly with sesame oil—provide depth.
GATHER YOUR KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced to paste
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 quarts vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 pounds chicken wings, cut at joints, wingtips discarded
KEY EQUIPMENT
- Kitchen Tongs
- All-Purpose Whisks
- Rasp-Style Graters
- Dutch Ovens
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
A rasp-style grater makes quick work of turning the garlic into a paste. Our favourite rasp-style grater is the Microplane Classic Zester Grater. Gochujang, a Korean chile-soybean paste, can be found in Asian markets and some supermarkets. Tailor the heat level of your chicken wings by adjusting its amount. If you can’t find gochujang, substitute an equal amount of Sriracha sauce and add only 2 tablespoons of water to the sauce. For a complete meal, serve with steamed white rice and slaw.
INSTRUCTIONS
To make Korean fried chicken sauce, combine sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in large bowl and microwave until mixture is bubbly and garlic and ginger are fragrant but not browned, 40 to 60 seconds. Whisk in ¼ cup water, sugar, gochujang, and soy sauce until smooth; set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. While oil heats, whisk flour, cornstarch, and remaining 1½ cups water in second large bowl until smooth. Set wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
Place half of the chicken wings in batter and stir to coat. Using tongs, remove them one at a time, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl, and add to hot oil. Increase heat to high and cook, occasionally stirring to prevent Korean chicken wings from sticking, until coating is lightly golden and beginning to crisp, about 7 minutes. (Oil temperature will drop sharply after adding wings.) Transfer wings to prepared rack. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining wings. Reduce heat to medium and let the second batch of wings rest for 5 minutes.
Heat oil to 375 degrees. Carefully return all wings to oil and cook, occasionally stirring, until deep golden brown and very crispy, about 7 minutes. Return wings to rack and let stand for 2 minutes. Transfer wings to reserved sauce and toss until coated. Return wings to rack and let stand for 2 minutes to allow the coating to set. Transfer to a platter and serve. Here you have a delicious Korean fried chicken.
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